Green roads are routes that run through picturesque landscapes and forests using former railway lines. They are suitable for cycling, hiking, horse riding, and winter skiing. The route cover is gravel or forest roads marked with signs in nature. The project developers plan a hiking route from Liepāja to Pāvilosta at the length of 41 kilometers.
“We have historically had two [railways] in Dienvidkurzeme – Pāvilosta to Liepāja and Liepāja to Vaiņode. This time we have chosen to start with the Pāvilosta – Liepāja route. The first Green Road in Kurzeme will be built. We know that Estonia and Vidzeme have developed strong tourism products and routes. In Kurzeme it will be the first,“ said Raimonds Reinis, a tourism industry expert in Dienvidkurzeme municipality.
One of the jobs will be to clear the overgrowth from the stretch of road. It is also planned to create a campsite and an open-access lodge where tourists will be able to stay overnight.
"Let's sort our way out at some stages as well. To suit pedestrians and cyclists. Unlike Vidzeme's experience, we will have two innovations, there will be a starting and finishing gate for this hike because we know, looking at such hiking routes in Europe, that people like to take pictures at the start and the finish. That's one thing that hasn't been there yet.
"The other thing I call a pilot project. It's going to be a free-access lodge. Similar to Finland and elsewhere in Scandinavia. It's a wooden lodge where travelers can stay overnight, there won't be electricity, but you can put down your sleeping bag and you can stay overnight, it'll be like in Scandinavia with a Jotul stove, people can also hike in December, for example, and stay overnight in that lodge."
EUR 112,490 is planned for implementation of the project from the funds of Dienvidkurzeme municipality.
